Unexpected new owner of my first MilSurp pistol...more pics, range report

[majspud]

...and its American!

Too much to post now. Surfed the NES classified today and found a member who wanted to trade for a .357. Turns out he was more interested in my Pedersoli Brown Bess. As I haven't shot it for three years, I said, sure! So I just got back from NH where we swapped guns and FFL3's.

I am now the proud owner of a M1903 Colt .32acp. Serial number dates it to 1919; 90% finish, great bore, all matching numbers. The previous owner got it fron the nephew of the vet who was a tank commander and brought it back from WWII and used it as a backup to his .45, which the previous owner still has.

I'll post better pictures and a range report tomorrow. Sweet!

MS

 

[Chuck Would]

Nice find. I like mine, Not as pretty but a good shooter.

 

[economist]

I love those. Very sleek, very cool. I've got a 1908 model (in .380) made in 1922.

 

[40 caliber]

somebody is moving into pistols big time

 

[SKS Ray]

somebody is moving into pistols big time

Thats cause he's running out of room for rifles.

 

[majspud]

Thats cause he's running out of room for rifles.

True. -1 Brown Bess, -1 Mitchell Mauser (next week), frees up space in the closet. While I've done a lot of talking recently about M14, 38H, and P38, this is currently the only one I have, and it really wasn't on my current radar. Next month I will have the M14. With the final sale of the Mitchell, there will be something new to the closet as well - maybe 38H, P38, or a rifle, or stock up on ammo while its available.

MS

 

[majspud]

Went to the range and put three magazines (24) out of it; two of Remington 71gr round nose, and one of 65gr Winchester semi-jacket hollow points. Stood in the middle of the 25 yard range; so 36 feet or so. The last 8 were fairly rapid fire and right. Sweet little pistol, easy to disassemble and clean.

MS

 

[40 caliber]

Tim
you're making me want one!

 

[majspud]

Many on GB; $400 and up. The M08 looks almost the same, but is .38acp.

MS

 

[Karl]

All right Tim! The Colt Model M is a great gun. Of course anything that came from JMB can't be bad. FYI- Those grips are from a later Pocket Model. To be correct, they should be hard rubber.

Did you get the 1914 Mauser yet?

 

[45collector]

Those are great old guns. Probably one of the biggest pistols ever made chambered for the .32acp, but historic and fun to shoot nonetheless.

 

[majspud]

I'm 50% paid on the M14; 75% Thursday.

MS

 

[50 BMG]

Just a question, are the grips original? They appear to be of a later model but maybe not.

 

[Karl]

From what I've read they introduced wood grips in mid 1924.

 

[majspud]

From what I've read they introduced wood grips in mid 1924.

I was told that while the wood grips are original Colt, they were not original to a 1919 M03, which would have been black rubber with "COLT" marked at the top.

PM

 

[Karl]

It should have the Type 4 hard rubber grips. Check out Sam Lisker's page.....

http://www.coltautos.com/mmgrips.htm

Sam also regularly visits http://www.coltforum.com/

If you're okay with copies, check out http://www.vintagegungrips.com/

 

[majspud]

Checked the vintage gun grip site; they did not have type 4 grips, only 1-3.

PM

 

[Karl]

I know.... The Type 3 is almost identical.